After taking an early 2-0 series lead on the defending champion Los Angeles Kings, the St. Louis Blues fell apart and lost the next four games to get knocked out of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
This year, the Blues should come back with a vengeance and be as good as ever. They are one of the most solid squads all-around and should be considered one of the top favorites to take home the Stanley Cup next spring.
The majority of St. Louis’s success comes from incredibly strong defense and goaltending. Goaltenders Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott are two of the better keepers in the NHL, and their excellent performances are bolstered by a very talented defensive group.
This defense includes Kevin Shattenkirk, veteran defenders Jay Bouwmeester and Jordan Leopold, and one of the top defensemen in the game in Alex Pietrangelo.
Pietrangelo seems to keep improving every year from an offensive and defensive standpoint. He is an excellent powerplay quarterback and can also be a true shut down defender.
As far as fantasy goes, Pietrangelo should be one of the top defensemen to draft as he will provide you with offensive numbers and a great plus/minus.
The offense is headlined by David Backes, T.J. Oshie, and the newly-acquired veteran Derek Roy.
Backes is a two-way forward that can make a huge impact, especially from a fantasy perspective. The Blues’ captain can put up goals and assists, but he will also get you tons of hits. He is similar to Los Angeles’s Dustin Brown and Phoenix’s Shane Doan as far as physical power forward captains go.
Along with Backes, the Blues have a handful of other players that give them their reputation as one of the hardest-hitting and most physical teams in hockey. Ryan Reaves and Chris Stewart are two more names that opponents fear when they are on the ice.
If Oshie can stay healthy, he should provide an excellent boost to the team. He can put up some excellent numbers and should continue to improve year to year.
Derek Roy is a big acquisition because he brings some more veteran leadership to this team with young, talented players like Jaden Schwartz and Vladimir Tarasenko. Bringing in Jason Arnott and Jamie Langenbrunner before the 2011-12 season as veteran leadership was a huge part of St. Louis’s ascension to the top of the Western Conference, and it seems as if the Blues are sticking with the same type of style.
St. Louis boasts incredible depth, especially at center. Backes, Roy, and the talented Patrik Berglund are the team’s top three centers, but Alexander Steen, who has proven time and time again to be a big-time clutch player will also be taking some draws.
The Blues even brought in agitator Maxim Lapierre, who could be moved to a wing if need be.
This year’s Blues team closely resembles the 2011 Boston Bruins and 2012 Los Angeles Kings. Both had terrific defense and goaltending, both were very physical teams, and both had offensive depth spread out through all four lines. All the Blues need now is that elusive Stanley Cup.
Is this the year? We will find out next spring, but count on the Blues to make a serious run at their first title in their 45-year history.